Carinthia200

Wolfgang Krenn wins the 197-kilometre long distance in a sprint ahead of MTB marathon world champion Alban Lakata – Carina Ziegler also decides the women’s classification in a sprint – almost 2,000 participants from 24 nations on closed roads through the Gail Valley, over the Windische Höhe and through the Drau Valley – eleven host municipalities, eight spectator hotspots, thousands of spectators – organiser thanks 600 volunteers, the fire brigades, clubs and village associations of all eleven municipalities, police and authorities – second edition in 2027 confirmed

Villach, 20 September 2026. Carinthia has a new road cycling event – and the debut delivered on its promise: almost 2,000 road cyclists from 24 nations rode out of Villach city centre in perfect weather today, through the Gail Valley, over the Windische Höhe and through the Drau Valley – on closed roads, past eight spectator hotspots and through eleven municipalities that made the day their own. On the 197-kilometre long distance, Carina Ziegler (Heartland Cycling, 5:33:44.9) and Wolfgang Krenn (1OF1 Cycling Team, 5:05:27) came out on top – both only in the final sprint. The organiser draws an entirely positive conclusion and thanks the eleven municipalities, 600 volunteers, the fire brigades, sports clubs and village associations along the route, as well as police, emergency services and authorities. One thing is already certain: there will be a second edition in 2027.

The field rolled out of Villach city centre at 7:05 a.m. – a few hours later, the first winners in Carinthia200 history were decided. Over the long distance of 197.4 kilometres and 2,731 metres of elevation gain, Carina Ziegler (Heartland Cycling) took the women’s win in 5:33:44.9, eight tenths of a second ahead of Valerie Rupitsch, with Corina Vorraber third at 3.2 seconds. In the men’s field, three Austrians produced a finale the event could not have scripted more dramatically: on the second loop the lead group melted down to three riders, and in the sprint Wolfgang Krenn (1OF1 Cycling Team) prevailed in 5:05:27, on the same time as three-time MTB marathon world champion Alban Lakata (Bulls Bikes); Thomas Garber (HUMANPWR Racing) crossed the line two seconds later in third. Both Carinthia105 classifications (105.7 kilometres, 1,304 metres of elevation gain) were also decided in a sprint finish: Franziska Zuder (SC Mirnock) won in 2:51:16.9, 1.8 seconds ahead of Anna Bäuchler (ZONE 2|5), with Marlies Feichtenhofer (BSG Bike Syndikat Graz) third. In the men’s field, Styrian rider Arno Kaspret, racing for the Carinthian club Special Bike Pörtschach, won in 2:45:09.6, three tenths of a second ahead of Carinthians Michael Kanduth (BSG Bike Syndikat Graz) and Michael Rieger (sv-doellach). Full results are available at carinthia200.com/results.

“Twice over the Windische Höhe, twice through the Drau Valley and people cheering you on at every hotspot – this course is beautiful and merciless at the same time. Winning the first edition is something very special. I will be back.”, says Carina Ziegler, winner of the Carinthia200.

“A course through stunning scenery, perfect weather and a thrilling event – I am genuinely impressed by Carinthia200! On the second loop we were able to reduce the lead group, and over the final 30 to 40 kilometres there were only three of us left. Taking the win as the first champion of this event makes me incredibly happy. A great debut and a perfect start for me!”, says Wolfgang Krenn, winner of the Carinthia200.

Among those crossing the finish line were sports ambassadors Nici Schmidhofer, Elisabeth Görgl, Andreas Goldberger, Christoph Sumann and Sabine and Alexander Payer. Carinthia’s cycling coordinator Paco Wrolich and former biathlete Julian Eberhard rode the Carinthia105.

The first edition had been sold out for weeks: almost 2,000 participants from 24 nations had registered. Which distance they rode was decided out on the road: participants could choose whether to finish in Villach after the first loop (Carinthia105) or add the second loop over Bad Bleiberg and a second ascent of the Windische Höhe (Carinthia200). The strongest nations in the field were Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary and Italy. At the same time, Carinthia200 was a home fixture: 174 starters came from the eleven municipalities along the route, more than 100 of them from Villach. Those who were not out on the course followed the event via live tracking.

From the Drau bridge in Villach via Matschiedl, the Windische Höhe, Zlan, Feistritz an der Drau, Bad Bleiberg and Labientschach to Kerschdorf: thousands of spectators lined the roads in the start and finish area in Villach city centre and at the eight official spectator hotspots along the route, some of them with catering, music and live commentary. The feedback from the field was the same all day long: incredible atmosphere, cowbells and cheers in every village. Fire brigades, inns and clubs carried the hotspots, and residents supported the road closures. The day was made possible by 600 volunteers who were on duty from the early morning hours at the start and finish, at the feed stations and at the 16 crossing points. The volunteer fire brigades, sports clubs and traditional village associations of the region played a central role: from all eleven municipalities along the route, their members were stationed at junctions, crossing points, feed stations and hotspots – from Villach city centre through the Gail Valley and over the Windische Höhe to the Drau Valley. Together with police, emergency services and the authorities, they saw the field safely through the day. The event passed without serious incident.

“An event of this size on closed roads only works as a joint effort. My thanks go to the eleven municipalities, the police, the authorities and all emergency services: the cooperation in the preparation and out on the route was exemplary – and the basis for the field being safe out there today.”, emphasises Patrick Schörkmayer, Race Director of the Carinthia200.

For Carinthian tourism, the debut came at the right time: after the main season, with guests from the region’s most important source markets spending several days in the region for the event weekend from 17 to 21 September – with social rides, an expo and an ambassadors’ evening in Villach city centre – accounting for around 8,000 overnight stays. The Region Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See has been building on mountain biking with its lake.bike brand for ten years and had its own stand at the expo with 17 exhibitors; with the Carinthia200 it is extending that profile to road cycling. For Kärnten Werbung, the event is a strategic building block in positioning Carinthia as a cycling destination.

“With lake.bike we have established ourselves as a mountain bike region over the past ten years. The Carinthia200 is the first major step in consistently developing road cycling under this brand. Guests from 24 nations experienced today what our region has to offer from the saddle of a road bike – many of them will come back.”, says Georg Overs, Managing Director of the Region Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See.

“We believed Carinthia200 had the potential to become a fixture on the European cycling calendar – after this debut, that is no longer a forecast. Guests from our most important source markets are taking home images of Carinthia’s lakes and mountains: almost 2,000 ambassadors for Carinthia as a cycling destination.”, says Klaus Ehrenbrandtner, Managing Director of Kärnten Werbung.

The continuation is confirmed: the Carinthia200 will return for a second edition in 2027, with the date to be announced shortly. The goal remains unchanged: Carinthia200 is to develop into Austria’s largest road cycling event and further strengthen Carinthia as a road cycling destination. The event weekend comes to a close on Monday with the recovery ride.

“This debut exceeded all expectations. Almost 2,000 road cyclists from 24 nations, eleven municipalities as hosts, 600 volunteers and an atmosphere along the route that you simply cannot plan – thank you for all of it. And we promise: this was only the beginning.”, says Julius Rupitsch, Event Director of the Carinthia200.

Press photos from event day (free of charge with photo credit FinisherPix): CLICK HERE

Result lists: CLICK HERE

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